Restorative dentistry
Think of it as a helmet. Chewing puts real force through your back teeth, and a tooth weakened by a large old filling or a crack will eventually split under that load. A crown wraps the whole tooth and redistributes the force so it cannot break apart.
We take an impression of the prepared tooth, and the crown is made to match the shape and shade of the teeth around it. You wear a temporary while it is fabricated, then come back to have the permanent one fitted, adjusted, and cemented in place.
Crowns are also how we finish a tooth after a root canal, and how we anchor a bridge. If you are getting more than one, we plan them together so the shade and shape stay consistent.
Step by step
We confirm the tooth can be saved and that a crown is the right answer rather than a large filling.
Under local anesthetic, the tooth is shaped so the crown fits over it without adding bulk.
We record the shape of the prepared tooth and match the shade to your neighboring teeth.
You leave with a temporary that protects the tooth and lets you eat normally while the permanent one is made.
We check the fit, contacts, and bite, adjust as needed, then cement it in place.
Worth knowing
A crack that runs into the tooth will spread under chewing force. A crown holds the pieces together before the tooth splits.
Once a filling takes up most of the tooth, the remaining walls are thin and prone to fracture.
Treated back teeth are brittle. A crown is what keeps them from breaking a year later.
Common questions
Many last well over a decade. What usually ends a crown is decay at the margin where it meets the tooth, which good brushing and flossing at the gum line prevents.
That is the goal. We match shade and shape to the teeth beside it, and check the result in daylight before cementing.
The tooth is numbed for the preparation appointment. Some sensitivity while wearing the temporary is common and settles once the permanent crown is on.
New patients welcome
We want to help you keep your teeth healthy for a lifetime. Contact us today and we will find a convenient time.